Participation in Everyday Activities of Children with and without Specific Learning Disorder

Abstract

Aim

To evaluate the participation in everyday activities of school-aged children with and without Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) in two samples using two different standardized measures of participation.

Methods

Study 1 comprised 60 children between 8 and 12 years (M = 10.2, SD = 1.2), 30 of them with and 30 without SLD. Participation was assessed by the LIFE-H questionnaire. Study 2 comprised 30 children between 8 and 12 years (M = 10.1, SD = 1.3), 14 of them had SLD, and 16 were typically developing children. Participation was assessed using the Child Participation Questionnaire.

Results

As expected, the participation of children with SLD was significantly decreased in the learning domain compared with children without SLD as well as most other occupational domains. Parents of children with SLD reported lower child's enjoyment and lower parental satisfaction compared to parents of children without SLD.

Conclusions

Participation and satisfaction of children and families was lower in children with SLD. We suggest measuring participation and addressing it in evaluations and interventions with this population in order to support their engagement in daily activities beyond school participation and to focus on additional needs of this population.

Keywords:

• Learning Disorder
• participation enjoyment
• participation satisfaction
• Specific Learning Disorder

Disclosure statement

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Margalit Pade

Margalit Pade, OT PhD teaches at the Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Professions, Tel Aviv University. Has an extensive experience in evaluation and treatment of children, adolescents and adults with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) and Attention Deficits Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD).

Limor Rosenberg

Limor Rosenberg, OT PhD has an extensive experience working with children, and she teaches and researches at the Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Professions, Tel Aviv University. Her main interests include personal and environmental factors restricting or enabling participation in children with and without disabilities.

Rawa Tzarzur

Rawia Sarour, MSc, is an experienced O.T. in evaluating and treating children from birth to adolescents with multiple disabilities. Works as a coordinator and instructor in special education kindergartens and at Children's Schneider Medical Center of Israel. She has extensive education and experience in feeding therapy and acute rehabilitation. She is a leading therapist and student mentor.

Orit Bart

Dr. Orit Bart, OT PhD is a faculty member at the Department of Occupational Therapy at the Tel Aviv University. She conducts a variety of multidisciplinary research projects on the association between sensory-motor function, psychological aspects, and participation of children and children with and without developmental problems.